MES Strengthens Support for Families Through Food Pantry, Backpack Program, and Basic Needs Closet

For more than a decade, Milton Elementary School (MES) has been a steady source of support for families facing food insecurity and financial hardship. Through its long-standing Food Pantry, Basic Needs Closet, and Weekend Backpack Program, MES continues to ensure that students and their families have consistent access to essential resources during times of uncertainty. Each of these initiatives is thoughtfully coordinated by School Social Worker Gloria Ho, whose leadership and dedication have made these programs a trusted lifeline within the school community.

The Weekend Backpack Program currently supports nearly 100 students, providing free bags of nutritious, kid-friendly food to children who may face hunger when school meals are not available. Geared toward displaced or low-income students, the program helps ensure children have enough to eat over weekends and school breaks, allowing them to return to school focused and ready to learn. Backpacks are filled with easy-to-prepare items such as cereal, non-perishable milk, pasta, canned fruits and vegetables, and other staples. Before dismissal each Friday (or before extended breaks) school staff discreetly place the food bags into students’ backpacks to maintain privacy and dignity.

Since 2014, the MES Food Pantry has provided families with convenient access to essential groceries right at school. Stocked with sustainable, easy-to-store items such as canned vegetables, soups, shelf-stable milk, rice, and potatoes, the pantry allows families to select up to 30 pounds of food per visit, choosing items that best meet their household needs. The Food Pantry is made possible through generous donations from the Food Bank of Delaware and the Harry K Foundation. By reducing barriers to nutrition, the program helps students stay engaged in class, maintain consistent attendance, and experience fewer behavioral challenges.

MES also operates a free Basic Needs Closet, offering students access to clothing, school supplies, jackets, shoes, and hygiene products. Funded by the Delaware Lieutenant Governor’s Office and community donations, the closet ensures that students have what they need to feel comfortable, confident, and prepared for school.

Milton Elementary has offered weekend Backpack meals since 2009 and has operated its food pantry for over a decade. Collectively, these programs have supported hundreds of families, reflecting the school’s unwavering belief that meeting basic needs is essential to student success.

“When children are hungry or worried about having what they need, learning takes a back seat,” said School Social Worker, Gloria Ho. “With the help of our food and basic needs initiatives, we remove those barriers so students can show up fully. These programs are an extension of our school’s commitment to caring for the whole child”.

Milton Elementary School remains committed to strengthening its partnership with families and the community to ensure every child has the support they need, both inside and outside the classroom. If members of the Milton community are interested in donating to the Basic Needs Closet or Food Pantry, please reach out to School Social Worker, Gloria Ho at (302) 684-2516.